[Reprinted  from  "  Proceed  hi  jrs  of  the  Eiighieers'  Club  of  Philadelphia," 

Vol.  1,  No.  3.  J 


ROCK-SALT  DEPOSIT 
Of  Huron  and  Bruce  Counties,  Ontario,  Canada. 

AbHtraot  from  a  paper  by  John  Hy.  Hakdkn,  M.K.,  Meml)er  of  the  Club. 

Read  May  3rf,  1879. 

The  town  of  Goderich,  in  the  county  of  Huron,  is  situated  on  the 
eastern  shore  of  Lake  Huron,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  river  Mait- 
land,  at  an  elevation  of  105  feet  above  the  lake.  The  surrounding 
country  is  entirely  devoted  to  aj;riculture,  its  contour  generally  level 
and  the  town  covers  a  considerable  are*  of  ground,  having  wide  streets 
and  buildings  of  a  superior  character.  (Map  shown.)  It  is  orderly, 
neat,  clean,  and  has  some  reputation  as  a  summer  resort. 

The  Buffalo  &  Lake  Huron  Branch  of  the  Grand  Trunk  llailroad 
from  Fort  Erie  to  Goderich  (161  miles)  terminates  within  the  harbor 
of  Goderich,  interswtiug  the  main  line  at  Stratford,  communicating 
with  the  railroad  systems  of  both  Canada  and  the  United  States. 

The  harbor  accommodation  for  shipping  freight  by  water  to  all  the 
princij»al  points  on  the  Great  Lukes  are  all  that  can  be  desired.  A 
glance  at  any  good  map  Avill  show  the  commercial  importance  of  the 
situation,  having  in  view  the  distribution  of  salt,  or  other  product,  both 
by  rail  and  water,  with  tl>e  prospect  of  competing  more  successfully 
with  imported  and  other  salt  producing  districts  less  favorably  endowed 
by  nature  than  Goderich. 

The  first  notice  referring  to  the  geology  of  the  Ontario  salt  region 
will  be  found  in  a  report  by  Dr.  T.  Sterry  Hunt  to  the  Director  of  the 
Geological  Survey  of  Canwla,  and  will  be  found  in  the  published 
work  of  the  Survey,  together  with  notices  of  the  occurrence  of  rock- 
salt  in  the  United  States,  etc.  Salt  was  first  discovered  at  G^defif^U 
on  the  19th  of  May,  1866,  in  prospecting  for  oil,  at  a  depth  of  964 
feet,  by  Mr.  Samuel  Piatt.  In  the  year  following,  salt  was  discovered 
at  Clinton,  13  miles  east,  and  in  the  succeeding  year  at  Kincardine,  in 
the  county  of  Bruce,  30  miles  to  the  north-west,  at  the  depths  of  1136 
and  900  feet  respectively.  At  this  date  there  are  sixteen  wells  whose 
combined  product  would  probably  reach  75,000  tons  per  annum,  all  of 
which  is  made  from  brine.  Hitherto  one-half  the  pnxluct  has  been 
exported  to  the  United  States,  paying  a  duty  of  $1.60  per  ton. 


'2 

The  consumption  of  salt  in  the  United  States  is  about  47^  pounds 
jser  capita,  and  by  some  authorities  it  is  estimated  as  high  as  50  pounds. 
This  large  consumptitm  is  due  in  a  great  measure  to  its  cheapness, 
together  with  the  large  quantity  used  in  salting  meats  that  are  exported 
to  other  countries.  The  consumption  of  salt  in  the  United  States  of 
all  kinds  and  from  all  sources  in  1877  was  990,129  gross  tons;  of 
this  quantity  417,627  tons,  or  20  pounds  per  capita,  were  imported  from 
England,  estimating  the  population  as  46,624,000.  If  we  estimate  the 
consumption  of  the  Dominion  of  Canada  after  the  same  rate  we  must 
add  one-tenth,  and  the  total  consumption  in  the  two  countries  would 
be  1,089,142  gross  tons. 

-  The  production  of  salt  of  all  kinds  in  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great 
Britain  during  the  years  1872  to  1876,  both  included,  was  9,990,964 
tons,  valued  at  ^24,332,689,  an  average  of  $2.43  per  ton  ;  during  the 
same  time  1,015,710  tons  were  exported  to  the  United  States  and 
306,724  tons  to  British  North  America.  In  the  soda  manufacture  in 
1876  were  consumed  no  less  than  538,600  tons. 

Production  in  the  five  principal  salt  districts  of  the  United  States,  1877  : 

Bushels. 
Michigan,  .  .  .        8,304,485 

New  York,      .  .  .  6,427,983 

West  Virginia,         .  .  .        4,837,325 

Ohio,  .  .  .  2,400,350 

Pennsylvania,  .  •        •        •  579,970 


Total;      .  .  .  .      22,550,113 

s=  563,753  gross  tons.     This  large  product  was  obtained  from  brine 
by  the  process  of  evaporation. 

Chemical  products  imported  into  the  United  States  in  the  years  1875, 
1876,  1877  and  1878  were  as  follows  : 


Year. 

Quantity  in  Pounds. 

Value,  including  duty. 

N1875 

303,257,928 

$7,978,412 

1.^76 

278,972,675 

6,470,409 

1877^ 

317,70(5,958 

6,641,851 

1878 

"^V              334,050,396 

6,433,217 

Total, 

.     ^,     1,233,987,957 

$27,523,889 

During  these  years  the  imports  into  the  Dominion  of  Canada  were  of 
the  value  of  more  than  one  million  dollars. 


Within  the  hwt  few  vearn  the  rm-k-salt  of  Gcxlerioh  has  been  thor- 
oughly  prospecttnl  by  the  Pennsylvania  Diamond  Drill  Coni|)any,  who 
have  taken  ont  samples  (cores)  of  salt  from  the  several  beds  (samples 
shown).  These  have  been  analyzed  by  Dr.  T.  Sterry  Hunt,  and  pro- 
nounced by  that  gentleman  as  fit  for  mining.  (See  transactions  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers.) 

The  following  is  a  section  of  the  beds  relative  to  the  surface-level 
(about  40  feet  above  the  lake) : 


ft. 

In. 

ft.    In. 

ft. 

in. 

First  IkkI, 

30 

11 

from 

997  0 

to 

1027 

11 

Second  bed, 

25 

4 

1060  0 

« 

1085 

4 

Third  bed, 

34 

10 

1092  2 

(( 

1127 

0 

Fourth  bed, 

15 

5 

1207  7 

(( 

1223 

0 

Fifth  bed. 

13 

6 

1230  0 

(( 

1243 

0 

Sixth  bed, 

6 

0 

1379  0 

(( 

1385 

0 

The  first  consideration  in  the  development  of  mining  operations 
would  be  the  shaft-sinking,  always  an  important  but  rarely  a  difficiilt 
operation  in  ground  free  from  water,  yet  under  the  conditions  known 
to  exist  would  require  special  skill  and  appliances  for  overcoming  the 
large  feeders  of  water  known  to  exist  within  the  depth  of  400  feet 
from  the  surface. 

A.  recent  trial  under  the  English  system  of  sinking  and  pumping 
the  water  until  an  impervious  strata  is  met  with,  upon  which  to  found 
the  water-tight  lining  (tubbing),  has  already  proved  its  impracticability 
within  estimates  to  be  relied  upon.  In  this  attempt,  after  spending 
nearly  $70,000  and  attaining  a  depth  of  about  150  feet,  Avith  a  clear 
diameter  of  10  feet  6  inches,  the  work  was  abandoned  in  consequence 
of  the  overpowering  influx  of  water  under  conditions  not  provided  for. 
The  writer,  therefore,  is  of  opinion  that  no  known  method  of  dealing 
with  such  a  work  is  so  applicable  as  that  of  "  Kind  Chandran," 
described  in  the  Transactions  of  the  American  Institute  of  Mining 
Engineers  by  Mr.  Julian  Ddby.  By  this  process,  already  well  estab- 
lished in  other  countries,  reliable  estimates  can  be  formed  as  to  the 
cost  and  duration  of  the  work. 

In  comparison  with  mines  in  this  country,  in  England  and  on  the 
continent  of  Europe,  400  yards  is  not  very  deep. 

The  deepest  mine  in  the  United  States  is  on  the  Comstock  Lode, 
Nevada,  783  yards.     In  England,  Rosebridge  Colliery,  Lancashire, 


815  yanlrt.     On  tlie  oontineiit  of  Europe,  Adalbert,  Austria,  1093 
yards.     Proponed  Hhaft  at  (io<lerich,  400  yards. 

Depth  has  betui  found  to  interfere  witli  mining  operations  only  when 
adequate  provisions  for  ventilation  and  drainage  have  been  wanting. 

The  construction  of  the  ingress  or  egress  to  a  mine  is  of  the  utmost 
importance.  Through  it  we  not  only  raise  the  mineral,"  pump  the 
water  and  ventilate  the  workings,  but  it  is  also  the  means  of  entrance 
or  exit  for  those  engaged  in  raining.  Shafts  are  sunk  in  various  shapes 
and  sizes,  the  circular  form  being  best  adapted  to  sustain  heavy  pres- 
sures. The  design  of  twelve  feet  will  give  ample  accommodations  for 
hoisting,  ventilation  and  drainage.  There  are,  however,  objections  to 
single  shafts,  as  it  affords  but  one  outlet  for  those  working  underground; 
for  that  reason  the  mining  laws  of  England  and  Pennsylvania  |)ermit 
operations  to  be  carried  on  through  a  single  oj)ening  only  under  certain 
restrictions.  There  is  less  objection  to  a  salt  mine  worked  through  a  single 
outlet  than  to  a  coal  mine,  for  which  these  laws  were  especially  framed, 
for  obvious  reasons.  The  depth  from  the  surface  and  the  impervious 
strata  between  the  salt  beds  and  the  feeders  of  water  will  protect  the 
workings  from  any  influx  from  that  source.  Proper  pillars  of  extra 
size  will  be  allowed  to  remain  to  protect  the  shaft. 

The  known  regularity  of  the  salt  beds,  prove<l  by  a  number  of  bore 
holes  in  different  location^5,  and  the  observed  regularity  of  the  stratifi- 
cation agree  so  well  that  we  miy  feel  confident  that  mining  may  be 
carried  on  with  success. 

Mining  will  be  regulated  by  the  demand  and  the  seasons  of  naviga- 
tion on  the  Lakes,  usually  from  six  to  seven  months. 

The  plant  designed  for  this  work  contemplated  a  speed  for  hoisting 
the  mineral  at,  2000  feet  per  minute,  extracting  in  cars  of  two  tons 
each,  100  tons  per  hour  or  1000  tons  per  day ;  for  200  days  =i  200,000 
tons.  The  speed  of  hoisting  2000  feet  per  minute,  33^  feet  i>er  second 
or  nearly  23  miles  an  hour,  is  much  exceeded  in  many  coal  mines. 
Tl\e  engines  at  the  Rosebridge  Colliery,  Lancashire,  lift  coal  from  a 
depth  of  2418  feet  in  55  seconds  =*:  43^^  feet  per  second,  nearly  30 
miles  an  hour. 

The  specific  gravity  of  the  rock-salt  in  question,  as  given  by  Dr.  T. 
Sterry  Hunt,  is  2*125,  and  a  square  acre  one  foot  thick  would  yield 
2582  gross  tons.  The  second  bed  of  salt,  destiribed  by  the  same 
authority,  as  "  entirely  fit  for  mining,  and  in  some  parts  of  remarkable 
purity :  chloride  of  sodium  99'687,  chloride  of  calcium  '032,  chloride 


of  nnxiioHui  'OD.i,  siilphute  of  lime  'OOO,  iiiHolublu  in  wator  '017,  moirt- 
ture  '079,  or  le-w  tlmn  oiHj-qmirter  of  tmc  |)er  wMit.  of  impurity ;  it  w 
2")  fetit  4  incluw  thick."  The  third  hetl,  34  feet  10  iiichcH  thiclc,  is 
described  us  "  rtoinewhat  less  pure,  but  witii  a  little  mre  in  sorting  might 
prolwibly  be  useil  for  all  ordinal y  purjioses."  These  two  beds  could  be 
mined  to;5ether,  leaving  a  stratum  of  salt  in  the  roof  and  floor  of  both, 
the  pillars  in  eu^h  working  being  direetly  above  or  below  the  other ; 
by  this  m'.»ns  20  feat  <»f  the  se(H»nd  an<l  25  feet  of  the  third  l^ed  C(mld 
be  wrought  with  advantage  deducting  33  per  cent,  for  pillars,  the  pro- 
duct from  one  acre  would  yield  37,342  gross  tons.  The  absence  of 
noxious  gjk<es,  so  freely  generated  in  coal  mines,  as  well  as  those  con- 
ditions requiring  the  use  of  large  quantities  of  timl>er  for  supjwrts  are 
lulvantages  to  be  considered. 

At  the  present  time  the  cost  of  mining  should  not  exceed  eighty 
cents  or  one  dollar  |)er  ton,  as  follows :  ••  ,    ' 

;.  Miner,  6  days,  @  $1.50,  .         „       .         $9  00 

Ljil)orer,  6  days,  @  $1.00,     .  ,,  6  00   ,       , 

Supplies,  6  days,  .       ,      ,    *    ,  ^,     ,   .  3  96     .^^^^ 

'     Total,  '        .  '      .      *'"      .     '  '"'    .      $18  96    '•  •^' 

Estimating  the  product  of  six  days'  work  at  60  tons  =  31^^  cents 
iieip  ton    " '   "  *"  ** '"*'■:   ''     '  "*"    "'  •"  ^i*""'"'!  m^^t^  »»♦. 

Estimated  cost  of  producing  one  ton  of  salt  fit  for  market : 
Mining,        .  .  •     ,  .     31*36  cts. 

Putting,  .     •  .  ,  20-64  " 

Preparing,    .  .      '  .  .     28-00  " 

Total  cents,  .  .  '    .  -.     80-00     >  -"^■ 

In  1877  the  clieapest  product  of  American  salt  (Michigan),  much 
inferior  to  that  of  Goderich,  sold  for  fifty  to  sixty  cents  per  barrel  of 
280  pounds  =  $4.40  pLT  ton.  This  cheap  rate  of  production  is,  in  a 
great  measure,  due  to  the  use  of  an  otherwise  waste  product  (slabs, 
sawdust  and  exhaust  steam  from  the  lumber  mills)  a.s  fuel.  Neceswa- 
rily  there  will  come  a  time  when  this  source  of  fuel  will  be  exhausted. 
In  1877  New  York  salt  sold  foi*  the  lowast  price  ever  known  before 
that  date,  79  cents  par  barrel  =  $6.32  per  ton.  In  1878  Mr.  A.  C. 
Powell,  superintendent  of  the  Onondaga  Salt  Springs,  states  the  results 
of  the  year's  work  to  be  50  to  55  bushels  of  salt  per  ton  of  coal,  cost- 
ing eight  cents  per  bushel  =  $3.20  per  ton.     If  these  figures  are  cor- 


mc'i,  it  \H  Hcarcely  iKXHrtible  that  Michipin  <'an  |)r«Mluco  mo  clicapiy.  In 
1877  the  lowcHt  vahie  ever  realized  on  inn)()rte(l  salt,  iiichidiii);  duty, 
wiw  $9.30  on  paekajj^eH  and  1$4'48  [M^r  ton  in  hulk.  The  average  value 
of  Halt  imported  into  Canada  during  the  year  ending  June,  1877,  was 
$4.66  |)er  ton.  The  lowest  price  for  which  Hidt  hits  ever  been  sold  at 
Gmlerieh  was  $2.40  per  ton,  f.o.  1).  To  this,  if  exported  to  the  Unite<l 
States,  ad«l  $1.60  duty,  total  $4.00.  The  price  now,  April,  187$),  is 
$3.00  per  ton,  f.o.h.  From  these  figures  we  may  s:ifely  estimate  the 
cost  of  mining  and  preparing  at  $1.00  and  the  selling  price,  f. o. b., 
$2.40. 

The  total  astimated  cost  of  oi)cning  a  mine  etpial  to  the  extra(;tion  of 
200,000  tons  per  atmuin  Avould  Ik*  $250,000;  time,  3J  years;  capitid 
re<iuiretl,  $350,000  to  $400,000.  Lands  of  a  fine  agricultural  charac- 
ter, underlaid  with  rock  salt,  can  bo  i)urchaswl  for  $400  yter  acre. 

Within  a  year  rock-salt  has  l)een  discoverinl  nesir  the  village  of 
Wyoming,  on  the  Rochester  and  State  Line  R-iilroad,  in  the  Stnte  of 
New  York.  It  was  penetrated  in  search  of  oil,  at  the  depth  of  1270 
feet,  and  is  said  to  be  70  feet  thick.  An  antdysis  of  a  sample  by  F. 
E.  Englehardt,  Ph.D.,  chemist  to  the  Dairy  St  It  Company,  of  Syra- 
cuse, is  as  follows:  insoluble  matter  3"276,  sulphite  of  lime  1*696, 
chloride  of  calcium  "413,  chloride  of  magnesium  '556,  moisture  and 
loss  '319,  pure  salt  (chloride  of  s(xlium)  93*740.  Thus  there  are  nearly 
6  per  cent  of  impurities,  while  the  Goderich  salt  contains  less  tlnn  ^ 
of  one  i)er  cent. 


('■'■■■    ■■'■''':    ■■" 


•"»•»         *»»JJC», 


i«>       Ji.   .  >.  r.H.j,     ,i     i  ; 


